Moss No. 3 Third Dam dam
Moss No. 3 Third Dam
Moss No. 3 Third Dam, located in Russell, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of storing tailings. Standing at a height of 216 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 6114 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 61.4 acres with a drainage area of 1.1 square miles. While the dam's hazard potential is currently classified as undetermined, its condition assessment is marked as 'Not Rated', indicating a need for further evaluation.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Moss No. 3 Third Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although the dam's last inspection date, condition assessment date, emergency action plan (EAP) preparation status, and other critical information are currently unspecified, the dam's structure and purpose provide valuable data for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's location, design features, and associated risks make it a noteworthy case study for those interested in environmental conservation and water management.
With its significant storage capacity and potential impact on the surrounding area, Moss No. 3 Third Dam serves as an essential infrastructure for tailings management. As the dam's risk assessment details, emergency preparedness measures, and regulatory oversight continue to evolve, it remains a focal point for monitoring and research in the field of water resource management and climate resilience. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental protection, and hazard mitigation, Moss No. 3 Third Dam presents a compelling case study with ample opportunities for further investigation and analysis.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Moss No. 3 Third Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clinch River At Cleveland | 522 cfs | → |
| Guest River At Coeburn | 20 cfs | → |
| Cranes Nest River Near Clintwood | 29 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Haysi | 467 cfs | → |
| Pound River Below Flannagan Dam Near Haysi | 26 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Bartlick | 1,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moss No. 3 Third Dam.
Boat launches
- Shepard Hollow Road Russell County
- Hidden Valley Road Washington County
- County Road 641 Russell County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Russell County
- North Fork River Road Washington County
Campgrounds
- Cranesnest - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
- Bark Camp Recreation Area Campground
- Bark Camp
- Lower Twin Branch - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
- Pound River - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
- Sugar Hollow City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
Track Moss No. 3 Third Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Moss No. 3 Third Dam
Where does the data for Moss No. 3 Third Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Undetermined hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Moss No. 3 Third Dam.